Point Austria

After the very tiring day out yesterday, today's peak was to be snow/ice free, although still a tough outing at this altitude. It was a later start too, 0700, so a little extra time in the 'bag'. Anyway, after a porridge and cocoa breakfast, we were on our way out of base camp. (photo: Heading up the gentler slopes to the Col on the way to Point Austria)
The path was quite gentle to start, but we soon found ourselves on steeper ground as we slowly gained height. The path was on solid ground to start, but we soon reached the loose rock/scree slopes. Just like back in the Lake District! (photo: View back down the scree slopes into the valley)
We eventually spent quite a bit of time traversing the side of Point Austria as we rose to a Col. Good views into a basin with Condirri and it's flowing glaciers to our right. Had a short break here for photos and water. Sarah and Tony decided they would stay at the Col. I was going to, being a little tired, but decided to continue although leaving my rucksack at the Col. Took along water and camera. (photo: Resting at the first Col ... with one of the guides having climb ..)
The path continued on loose rocks and dust, winding its way up to another rocky Col. A steep drop over the other side, but good views in the direction of Lake Titicaca. (photo: Glacier flowing down from the Condirri region)
We turned left at the Col and followed a rocky path up for a short distance to the summit of Point Austria. More photos followed, coupled with a rest, before we made our way back to the first Col and to collect my 'baggage'. Sarah, Tony and the guide had returned to Base Camp. (photo: And further to the right, the glacier leading up in the direction of Pequena Alpamayo)
The pace back down was nice and easy, making it more comfortable on the knees and hips. (We needed to conserve energy as we still had a 3 hour walk back out to the transport for La Paz.) (photo: View across the plains from Point Austria summit. Lake Titicaca can just be seen near the top of the stone cairn.)
Soon on the lower slopes, we had a good view of Base Camp and up the valley to the glacier walked the previous day. (photo: Paul (right), Graham (centre) and me on Point Austria)
Soup was ready on our arrival back at camp, followed by a rather nice salad lunch. A couple of hours rest, and we were back on our feet heading out of the camp. The mules were already on their way. (photo: Final view back up the valley on the way out to Tuni settlement)
The walk back out to Tuni settlement was rather quiet, everyone reflecting on the two days of walking. The legs were feeling OK, but the tummy was beginning to give me grief. A 'rock-stop' was needed on the way out. The clouds were darkening as we reached Tuni, in fact there had been the odd flake of snow on the walk out. Anyway, it was good to sit in the 4x4 for the drive back to our hotel. We were back in La Paz just before 1800. (photo: Our next objective, Huayna Potosi, looming above Lake Tuni)